The number of people in Wales receiving an organ transplant has increased by more than 18% in the past year.

The number of people in Wales receiving an organ transplant has increased by more than 18% in the past year.

Figures released today by the NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) Activity Report shows that in the last year 240 organ transplants took place on Welsh residents – up from 203 the previous year.

There were 67 deceased organ donors in Welsh hospitals compared to 66 in 2010-11.

Donations from Welsh residents decreased slightly from 83 in 2010-11 to 75 last year due to fewer Welsh residents donating in English hospitals.

The percentage of people in Wales on the Organ Donor Register remained the same at 31%.

Other statistics show the number of people in Wales waiting for a transplant has also fallen, from 309 to 284.

Meanwhile, 41 people died waiting for a transplant in Wales, a fall of 10 on the previous year.

Dr Chris Jones, Medical Director of NHS Wales, said: “There is welcome news in today’s NHSBT report, such as the increase in the number of transplants on Welsh residents.

“The percentage of people on the Organ Donor Register in Wales, at 31%, remains above the UK average, which is also encouraging.

“Since 2007-08, massive efforts have been made in hospitals to increase deceased organ donation throughout Wales to change clinical practice and give more people the opportunity to donate their organs.We remain ahead of target to meet our objective of 50% growth in deceased donation from 2008 to 2013, having already achieved 49% growth by 2012.”

The Welsh Government is proposing to introduce a soft opt-out system for organ donation where unless a person registers a wish to be a donor or not, their consent to donation will be deemed to have been given.

Dr Jones said: “The number of people in Wales dying while waiting for a transplant is still too high and we must continue to do all we can to increase the number of organ donors. This includes the introduction of new legislation on organ and tissue donation for Wales.”

“The consent rate for organ donation in Wales, although better than the UK average, is still too low and we know a large part of that is down to people not discussing their wishes with their families.

“The Welsh Government working with the NHS is committed to continuing to increase the number of organ donation and transplants.”

WalesOnline is part of Media Wales, publisher of the Western Mail, South Wales Echo, Wales on Sunday and the seven Celtic weekly titles, offering you unique access to our audience across Wales online and in print.